Page 9 of Protecting His Ex-Wife
“Mmm, Tony. Your omelets are the best.”
It’s a small compliment, but I’ll take it. I’m not a great cook. I perfected the omelet because it’s Caroline’s favorite.
“You got a lot of work to do today?”
The look on her face instantly falls, and she ducks her head. I regret asking the question. It makes me wonder what she’s not telling me, how bad things really are.
“Not really.”
“There’s a desk in your room that you can work from, or you can bring your laptop out here if you prefer. I’m not going into work today, but I’ll keep out of your way.”
I asked Bronn for some special leave, and when I told him it was for Caroline, he agreed immediately. But she doesn’t need to know that.
I love having Caroline in my house, but there’s something that’s been nagging at me. Something I need to know.
“About last night…” I begin slowly, and Caroline gives me a wary look. “Where are things with you and Paul?”
My voice comes out choked because the thought of Caroline with another man always makes me tense. I couldn’t stand it when I found out she was marrying again. I put on a show for her because I want her to be happy, but I was dying on the inside.
She puts down her fork and eyes me warily.
“I kicked him out when…” She trails off and looks away. She’s not telling me something, all right, but now’s not the time push. “…I kicked him out a few weeks ago,” she continues. “It’s over between us. It had been for a while, and that was the final straw.”
“Are you divorcing him?” My voice is tight, but I need to know this, even if it kills me.
“Yes.”
I don’t realize how tightly I’ve been gripping my cutlery until she says those words.
“I have grounds for immediate divorce, but my lawyer’s having trouble tracking him down.”
She looks down and sighs, and I hate that I have to go over this with her, but I need to know where she is. If she’s emotionally tied to another man, I’ll back off. But it doesn’t seem like that’s the case.
“You don’t know where he’s staying?”
She shakes her head. “He’s not being very… communicative.”
“I’ll have someone track him down.” She gives me a warning look, and I try to get the scowl off my face. “And then I’ll pass the details to your lawyer.”
I can tell from her look that she doesn’t quite believe me. And she shouldn’t. When I find that scumbag, I’ll be paying him a visit. But Caroline doesn’t need to know that.
We finish up breakfast, and I head to my room to give Seth a call.
He’s the IT whiz on our security team and was part of our Special Forces unit. He has particular skills in finding things and people that don’t want to be found. I’m not sure it’s all legitimate, but I’m not asking questions.
He doesn’t answer, probably too busy with his new woman, so I leave a message.
Then I make another call to the local florist.
If Caroline isn’t emotionally attached to Paul, then I’m not taking any chances. The sooner I win her over and make her mine, the better.
7
CAROLINE
There’s a desk in the spare room, and I set my laptop up there. The office chair’s too high, and when I adjust it, I find a tag attached to the lever. The chair’s brand new.
Just like the poppy-patterned bed cover and the matching curtains. This whole room has been redecorated recently, and I’ve got a nagging suspicion as to why.
